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Home Credit Cards Instant-Approval Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Credit Cards for Bad Credit with Instant Approval

Credit card for bad credit being stamped for instant approval

Waiting to find out if your credit card application was approved is stressful. Minimize your nail biting with one of these credit cards for bad credit that offer instant approval and high approval odds.

Written by Kari Dearie

Mar 27, 2023

Editorial Guidelines

Our writers follow strict editorial standards, and our product reviews use a transparent and objective rubric.

Instant-Approval Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Credit Card Best For Credit Score Annual Fee Welcome Bonus Apply Now
Citi Secured Mastercard credit card
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
No Annual Fee 300 – 669 N/A N/A
OpenSky Secured Visa credit card
OpenSky® Secured Visa®
No Credit Check 300 – 669 N/A N/A Apply
Avant Credit Card
Avant Credit Card
Unsecured 300 – 669 N/A N/A Apply
Mission Lane Credit Card
Mission Lane Visa®
Low APR 300 – 669 N/A N/A Apply
Surge Mastercard credit card
Surge Mastercard®
Last Resort 300 – 669 N/A N/A

Table of Contents

  1. Are there credit cards for bad credit with instant approval?
  2. How do I get an instant-approval credit card when I have bad credit?
  3. 5 best credit cards for bad credit with instant approval

When you have bad credit, getting a credit card is stressful. When you’re more likely to have your credit card application rejected, waiting hours, days, or even weeks for your approval can feel daunting.

Fortunately, there are credit cards aimed at bad-credit borrowers that let you skip the nail-biting and get approved right away.

Are there credit cards for bad credit with instant approval?

Yes, there are credit cards for bad credit that offer instant approval. There are tons of credit cards for bad credit on the market, and some are easier to get than others. In fact, many of the easiest credit cards to get offer on-the-spot approval and high approval odds.

However, instant approval is never guaranteed, even if a credit card issuer advertises it as a perk. For example, if an issuer is having trouble verifying any of your information, your application may take longer to process.

How do I get an instant-approval credit card when I have bad credit?

There are two ways to get an instant-approval credit card for bad credit:

  1. Apply for a secured credit card: Credit cards that require security deposits are considered “secured.” Secured credit cards are easier to get when you have bad credit, as the money you put down acts as collateral in case you don’t pay your bills. Because they’re easier to get approved for, many secured credit cards offer on-the-spot approval.
  2. Apply for an unsecured credit card: Your other option is to apply for an unsecured card (one that doesn’t require a security deposit) and try to get approved. Look for cards that advertise instant approval, high approval odds, or no credit check. These are the easiest unsecured cards to get—particularly no-credit-check cards, which will likely give instant approval if none of your personal information requires verification. Be aware that many unsecured credit cards for bad credit charge annual fees.

5 best credit cards for bad credit with instant approval

Here are the best instant-approval credit cards for borrowers with bad credit.

Instant-approval credit card with no annual fee

No Annual Fee

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Citi Secured Mastercard credit card

on Citi's secure site

Rates & Fees
3.6

Rating Breakdown

Fees

4.7

One of the biggest advantages of the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is that it has no annual or monthly fees, which makes it an inexpensive resource for building credit.

APR

2.5

Unfortunately, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® has fairly expensive interest rates, although whether this matters depends on how you use your card.

Rewards

1.0

This card doesn’t have any kind of rewards program, so it gets the lowest possible score in this category.

Credit Reporting

5.0

Credit reporting is an area where the Citi® Secured Mastercard® does well, since it reports to all three of the major credit bureaus.

Security Deposit

4.0

The Citi® Secured Mastercard®, like many similar credit cards, can be opened with as little as $200, but Citi also offers a fairly high upper limit of $2,500.

Other

We adjusted this card’s rating to account for features like free credit scores, a refundable deposit, and alternative payment plans.

Our WalletCrowd Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

N/A

Audience

Cast Your Vote

Annual Fee $0

Credit Score 300 – 669

Deposit $200 – $2,500

Purchase APR 26.24% (variable)

Why It's Great

The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a secured credit card with incredibly high approval odds and a good shot at instant approval when you apply. It also boasts:

  • A flexible credit limit of up to $2,500
  • Credit reporting to the major credit bureaus
  • Citibank benefits
  • No annual fee

The lack of an annual fee makes this a low-cost card, especially if you choose to put down a security deposit closer to $200 (the minimum). Citi’s credit bureau reporting also means you can use this card to establish or rebuild your credit. Plus, Citi offers borrowers free FICO credit scores, so you can track your credit building or rebuilding progress.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Free FICO scores
  • Reports to the major credit bureaus
  • Opportunities to graduate to an unsecured card

Cons

  • Security deposit required
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • No rewards
  • Medium-high APR

Credit card for bad credit with instant approval & no credit check

No Credit Check

OpenSky® Secured Visa®

OpenSky Secured Visa credit card Apply Now

on OpenSky's secure site

Rates & Fees
4.0

Rating Breakdown

Fees

4.6

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® does well in the fees category thanks to the low annual fees.

APR

3.3

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® has reasonable interest rates on purchases and cash advances, especially compared to other cards for this credit range.

Rewards

1.0

Because this card doesn’t give you any returns for your spending, it gets the lowest possible score in the rewards category.

Credit Reporting

5.0

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® reports to all three credit bureaus, so it gets top marks for credit reporting.

Security Deposit

4.0

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® allows you to put down as little as $200 or as much as $3,000, so there’s a reasonable amount of flexibility about how much security deposit you pay (and credit limit you get in return).

Other

We bumped up the score a bit for this card because of its good accessibility, since it has high approval odds and is available to borrowers with no credit history.

Our WalletCrowd Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

N/A

Audience

Cast Your Vote

Annual Fee $35

Credit Score 300 – 669

Deposit $200 – $3,000

Purchase APR 21.14% (variable)

Why It's Great

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® is a rare gem in the world of instant-approval credit cards for bad credit. Not only will your approval come in quickly, but your approval odds are incredibly high. That’s because the OpenSky® Secured Visa®:

  • Is secured: Secured credit cards are easier to get, since the deposit you put down acts as collateral.
  • Doesn’t do a credit check: The issuer won’t even check your credit when you apply, meaning your negative borrowing history won’t matter. Better yet, you won’t get a hard inquiry on your credit report, which normally would take a few points off your credit score.
  • Doesn’t require a checking account: One of the most unique features of the OpenSky® Secured Visa® is that it doesn’t require borrowers to have a checking account, meaning those just getting financially started can still get a credit card.

Getting an OpenSky® Secured Visa® is as easy as submitting your application and putting down your deposit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No credit check
  • No checking account required
  • Reports to three credit bureaus
  • High approval odds

Cons

  • Requires a security deposit
  • $35 annual fee
  • Can’t upgrade to an unsecured card
  • No rewards

Unsecured credit card for bad credit with instant approval

Unsecured

Avant Credit Card

Avant Credit Card Apply Now

on WebBank's secure website

Rates & Fees
3.8

Rating Breakdown

Fees

4.8

The Avant Credit Card has the handy advantage of no foreign transaction fees, and the other fees will often be fairly low or average.

APR

1.9

This card gets a low score for its high APRs, which means you’ll be charged a lot of interest if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month.

Rewards

1.0

There aren’t any rewards with the Avant Credit Card, so you won’t get anything back for your purchases.

Credit Reporting

5.0

This card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so it’s a good way to build or rebuild your credit score, allowing you to work your way toward qualifying for even better cards.

Credit Limit

4.0

Potentially high credit limits of $3,000 or more are among this card’s advantages.

Other

We boosted the Avant Credit Card’s score a bit because of the opportunities it offers for credit limit increases and its lack of security deposit requirements for bad credit holders.

Our WalletCrowd Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

1.0

Audience

Cast Your Vote

Annual Fee $0–$59

Credit Score 300 – 669

Purchase APR 27.24% – 29.99% (variable)

Credit Limit $300 – $2,000

Why It's Great

Most credit cards with instant approval are secured credit cards, meaning they require a security deposit as collateral in case the borrower doesn't pay their bill. The Avant Credit Card offers a rare opportunity to get an unsecured credit card for bad credit with instant approval and high approval odds.

The card has a generous range of credit limits between $300–$3,000. While it may come with an annual fee, the cost can only go as high as $59 per year, which is on the low end of annual fees for bad-credit credit cards. Some card offers may not even have an annual fee.

One of the best perks of the Avant Credit Card is its lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a great card for people who frequently travel abroad or buy from non-US vendors.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No security deposit required
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Potentially high credit limit of up to $3,000
  • Credit reporting to all three bureaus
  • Fast application response

Cons

  • High APR
  • Annual fee usually required
  • No rewards
  • No balance transfers available

Instant-approval credit card with potentially low APR

Low APR

Mission Lane Visa®

Mission Lane Credit Card Apply Now

on Mission Lane's secure site

Rates & Fees
3.5

Rating Breakdown

Fees

4.3

Top applicants can qualify for a $0 annual fee, which is rare for an unsecured card for bad credit. However, others will have to pay up to $59.

APR

3.0

The Mission Lane Visa® certainly has higher interest rates than credit cards for prime borrowers, but it still offers lower rates than many similar subprime cards.

Rewards

1.0

This card won’t reward you for your purchases, so it gets the lowest possible score in this category.

Credit Reporting

5.0

The card issuer reports to all three of the major credit bureaus, making the Mission Lane Visa® a solid choice for building or rebuilding your credit.

Credit Limit

3.5

You can get a credit limit of at least $300 with the Mission Lane Visa®, but the card issuer doesn’t specify how high credit limits go or make any guarantees about increasing your limit.

Other

We made adjustments for other factors, like free credit scores and potential credit line increases.

Our WalletCrowd Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

N/A

Audience

Cast Your Vote

Annual Fee $0–$75

Credit Score 300 – 669

Purchase APR 19.99% – 29.99% (variable)

Credit Limit $300

Why It's Great

The Mission Lane Visa® is another unique option in that it's an unsecured credit card for bad credit that offers instant approval and high application acceptance rates. It may or may not have an annual fee up to $59, depending on the card offer you get.

The APR you're given will also depend on your credit card offer. Interest rates on the card range from 19.99%–29.99%, meaning some lucky applicants will get APRs much lower than they would on similar credit cards. However, a low APR isn't guaranteed, as the range also runs quite high. Which end of the spectrum your rate lands on will depend on factors like your borrowing history and current financial situation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No security deposit required
  • Credit limit increases available within 12 months
  • Reporting to all three credit bureaus
  • Quick application

Cons

  • Up to $59 annual fee may apply
  • No option to add authorized users
  • No rewards

Last-resort credit card for bad credit with instant approval

Last Resort

Surge Mastercard®

Surge Mastercard credit card

on Continental Finance's secure website

Rates & Fees
3.3

Rating Breakdown

Fees

3.0

The fees on the Surge Mastercard® aren’t the absolute highest you’ll find among credit cards, but they’re quite steep considering you won’t get any rewards in exchange.

APR

2.4

The higher-than-average APR on this card isn’t a surprise considering that it’s geared toward people with poor or fair credit, but it makes this card expensive to carry a balance on.

Rewards

1.0

The Surge Mastercard® offers no rewards of any kind, netting it the lowest possible rating in this category.

Credit Reporting

5.0

Surge Mastercard® accounts are reported to all three major credit bureaus, which makes this card suitable for building or repairing your credit.

Credit Limit

3.5

The Surge Mastercard®’s initial credit limits are low, but you have the chance to increase (and even double) your credit line after you’ve had the card for 6 months.

Other

We manually boosted this card’s score in recognition of its high approval odds, free access to credit scores, and accessibility to people with bad credit without requiring a security deposit.

Our WalletCrowd Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

3.0

Audience

Cast Your Vote

Annual Fee $75–$99 the first year, then $99 annually

Credit Score 300 – 669

Purchase APR 24.99% – 29.99% (variable)

Credit Limit $300 – $1,000

Why It's Great

The Surge Mastercard® is an unsecured credit card that offers instant approval for applicants with bad credit. Unsecured cards with instant approval are rare, making this one worth consideration if you’re not willing to pay a deposit and have already explored your other options.

The Surge Mastercard® offers credit limits as high as $1,000, with the potential to double that limit in 6 months. Most unsecured credit cards for bad credit offer limits closer to $200–$300, so the Surge Mastercard® is ahead of the competition in this respect.

However, the fees are something to be wary of, as they can add up fast in the second year when the card’s monthly fees kick in. But if you’re short on options for an instant-approval credit card with no deposit required, this one is worth considering.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No security deposit required
  • Pre-qualification
  • Free monthly credit scores
  • Reports to the major credit bureaus
  • Credit limit increase after 6 months

Cons

  • High APR
  • Monthly maintenance fee
  • Expensive annual fee
  • No rewards
  • No upgrade option

How We Rate Our Cards

Every card we review is rated on a 5-star rubric that's unique to the card's intended audience. A card's final rating will be based on factors like its:

  • Fees
  • Interest Rates
  • Rewards
  • Credit Limit
  • Accessibility
  • Benefits

Our rubrics are completely transparent and open to alterations as advised by you, our readers. Join us on Discord if you have thoughts to share about how we rate and review credit cards.

Kari Dearie

Credit Cards Editor

Read More

Kari Dearie is an editor for WalletCrowd specializing in credit and personal finance. She previously managed a B2B website in the data privacy and digital compliance industry.

Read More

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